Course Records Broken at FJG Race To The Top Of Vermont

Over 600 hikers, mountain bikers and runners assembled at the base of Mount Mansfield’s Toll Road on Sunday morning, August 30th in preparation for the second annual Fleisher Jacobs Group Race to the Top of Vermont. Some of the country’s top hill climb athletes came from as far away as Hawaii, Oregon, and Texas along with 14 other states and Canada to tackle one of the toughest hill climbs in the eastern US. Runners and mountain bikers were setting their sights on breaking the course record while the hikers were just in it for the challenge of reaching the summit parking lot while raising money for the Mobius Mentoring Movement. The big question was, who would be the fastest up the mountain, a mountain biker or a runner?

The weather conditions along the course were near 60 degrees with light winds and clear skies until the last 0.3 miles below the summit. Although Mount Mansfield was blanketed with a thick cloud, it was clear at the finish line that the blistering course record times were to be set by runners this year. Jim Johnson (35:30) of Salem, NH and Kasie Enman (40:12) of Huntington, VT were quick enough to claim the titles of king and queen of the Mountain, easily breaking the previous 4.3 mile course records. Johnson finished almost a minute faster than the top mountain biker, Nathan Ringquist (36:12) of Stowe, VT and Enman’s blistering run time put her over four minutes faster than the top female mountain biker, Marilyn Ruseckas (45:37) of Waitsfield, VT. Ringquist set a new mountain bike male record while Ruseckas tied last year’s women’s record.

Veteran mountain racing champion, Eric Morse of Berlin, VT was second in the men’s running division in 36:21 followed by Shawn Gardner from Dallas, TX in 37:56. Another veteran athlete, Donna Smyers of Adamont, VT was the second fastest female runner (45:56) while Nancy Cook of Belchertown, MA took third in 47:47.

In the mountain bike division, Matt Mainer of Hinesburg, VT claimed second place (36:31) while Doug Jansen of Pelham, NH rounded out the third position in 37:15. All three times were faster than the record set by Jesse Downs of Jericho Center in last year’s race. On the women’s side, Kelly Ault of Middlesex, VT finished in second place (50:07) followed by Rebecca Vandyke of Burlington, VT in third (53:37).

Following the competition, participants were treated to a BBQ chicken dinner and over $7,000.00 in prizes were given away in a raffle. The second annual FJG Race to the Top of Vermont was organized by the Catamount Trail Association and benefited that organization as well as Mobius, a Burlington based non-profit mentoring program.

FJG Race To The Top Of Vermont

How Many People Can Say They Raced To The Top Of Vermont?

The Date: Sunday August 30, 2009

The Event: Mountain Bike and Running Race up the highest mountain in Vermont on the famous Mt Mansfield Toll Road. This event will be limited to the first 800 registered racers.

Title Sponsor: Fleischer Jacobs Group (FJG) Fleischer Jacobs Group (FJG), is one of the state's largest providers of Insurance, Employee Benefits, Investments and Financial Planning services for businesses and individuals. WWW.FJGFINANCIAL.COM <http://www.fjgfinancial.com/>

The Course: The course is 4.3 miles long and climbs 2,550 vertical feet to the summit parking lot of the Mt. Mansfield Toll Road. The racecourse starts on pavement for .3 miles before changing to gravel for 4 miles. Racers will experience a steady incline throughout the course with a 10-degree maximum pitch. Participants will be rewarded with one of the most spectacular views in the east overlooking three states and Canada.

Start Format: There will be three mass starts for each category.
9:00am start for walkers and non-competitive participants
10:00am for Mt. Bikers
10:10am for runners

Late Registration and Race Bib Pickup:

A limit of 100 late entries will be allowed on Sat, Aug 29 through race day Aug 30th. First come, first served. Race packet pick up and late registration at Midway Lodge 5:00-7:00pm on Sat and 7:30-9:00am on Sunday.

On line registration closes on Wed Aug 26th at 8:59pm. You may download and fax an entry to 802-864-5710 until Friday Aug 28th at 10:00am. (No tech shirts guaranteed after August 15th.)

Where: Midway Lodge at the base of the Mt Mansfield gondola. When: Saturday, Aug 29th from 5:00 - 7:00pm and Sunday Aug 30th from 7:30-9:00am

Course Records: 2008 was the First Annual RTTOVT
Mt. Bike: Male: Jesse Downs 37:12, Female: Susan Lynch 45:37
Running: Male: Dave Dunham 37:50, Female: Tracy Rose 48:41
2008 Results

Benefit: Proceeds from the event will benefit two 501©3 non-profit organizations. The Catamount Trail Association maintains and protects the 300-mile ski trail the length of Vermont and Mobius, an organization dedicated to growing the culture of mentoring in our communities.

Entry Fee Includes:

RTTOVT high quality tech shirt (men's) (women's) Entries by Aug 15th
An 8th Edition Catamount Trail Guide Book
Post race BBQ and party at the Midway Lodge at Stowe Mtn Resort
Large raffle for all participants Click here to check out raffle prizes.
Prizes to the top three people in each age group and discipline
Cash prizes to the top three overall in each discipline
Prizes to the fastest single discipline team overall

Entry Fee Breakdown: (Limited to 800) Entry Received by July 15: $40 or $30 for CTA Member Entry Received by Aug 15: $45 or $35 for CTA Member Entry Received Aug 16th - Race Day: $55 or $45 for CTA Member (You will not be guaranteed a tech shirt after Aug 16th.) Group/Team Rate for 10 or more by Aug 21th: $30 per person (must be mailed on entry forms together to Catamount Trail Association office)

Awards: Hand made stoneware RTTOVT mugs will be presented to the top three racers in each 10-year age category for men and women in both running and Mt. biking. The top three overall men and women for each discipline will also receive cash awards and a special prize for the fastest team. The Team Award goes to the fastest 3 person single discipline team (just runners or just cyclists). Each team must have at least one women. Over $6,500 in prizes and awards. Raffle Prize List

Mt. Bike Restrictions: In an effort to keep the cycling portion of the race fair for all participants, Mt bikes will be restricted to no less than 2.0 width tires. All cyclists must wear a helmet and Mt. bikes must have two working brakes.

Racer Support and Parking: Participant’s warm-down clothing will be transported to the finish prior to the start of the race. Racers will be responsible for a ride down the mountain following the race or they may follow the Toll Road on foot or on their Mt. Bike. There will be a $15.00 charge for personal support vehicles unless vehicle brings down a minimum of three racers. All vehicles must go directly to the finish line prior to race start

Race Night Concert: Stick around after the race event for Asleep at the Wheel, the famed western-swing, boogie, and roots-music outfit that’s, amazingly, still on the upswing. The concert, located in the spectacular natural amphitheatre of the Trapp Family Lodge meadow will be an evening not to be missed. Click here for more information.

For More Information: contact: Jim Fredericks at 802-864-5794 or email Jim Fredericks or fax entry to: 802-864-5710

Download Race Map